On Stage: John 5 shows his versatility

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times John 5 The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) has a reputation for presenting shows stretching across a wide swath of genres. This week is a prime example. The Sellersville Theater will present The Security Project (high level tribute project for the music of Peter Gabriel), Crack the Sky (classic...

On Stage: Baxter brings deep history to show at City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Jeff Baxter It’s hard to imagine music fans heading to a concert by a member of the NASA Exploration Systems Advisory Committee. It’s hard to imagine a guitarist who has consulting contracts with the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency. However, if it’s Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, it makes sense. Baxter, who will headline a show at City...

On Stage Extra: Candlebox Unplugged at City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Candlebox Unplugged Brian Quinn is a busy musician. The King of Prussia resident is a talented guitarist who performs solo and duet shows locally on a regular basis – and he is a member of the veteran Seattle-based rock band Candlebox. Several area venues have hosted shows by Candlebox Unplugged, featuring Quinn, a guitarist originally from Pennsylvania’s...

On Stage: For Segal, music led to recovery and soothing others with jazz

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Alan Segal Alan Segal had a life-changing event several years ago. Prior to the event, he had a positive effect on people financially – helping them navigate the world of personal finances. When Segal resumed activity after the event, he had a positive effect on people spiritually – not with religious topics but rather with soul-soothing music. Segal...

On Stage: Time for some laughs with Steve Treviño

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Steve Treviño These days, we all need something to brighten our day – something to laugh about. Fortunately, there are several comedy shows on the area schedule that are worth checking out. After all, April is National Humor Month. From April 21-23, Steve Treviño will bring his “America’s Favorite Husband” tour to Philadelphia for a three-night...

On Stage: We Were Promised Jetpacks flies into Underground Arts

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times We Were Promised Jetpacks We Were Promised Jetpacks, which is headlining a show on April 14 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org), is a Scottish indie rock band featuring Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Sean Smith (bass), and Darren Lackie (drums). “The band started back in 2004 when we were in school,”...

On Stage Bonus: Livingston Taylor is still going strong

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Livingston Taylor Livingston Taylor has a lot of musical talent – and a knack for longevity. Taylor, who will be headlining a show on April 9 at Delaware Valley University (700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, is a singer-songwriter who made his first album 52 years ago and has released more than 20 more LPs since then. Taylor has a long history of...

On Stage: Zakir Hussain brings classical rhythm to Zellerbach

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Zakir Hussain On April 7, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with two of India’s emerging new luminaries in a special concert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theater (Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, pennlivearts.org). Zakir Hussain,...

On Stage Extra: A melting pot of music and comedy on display this week

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Tempest There is a lot of variety in the schedule for upcoming shows in the area – a Celtic rock band that was formed by a Norwegian singer (Tempest at 118 North and Havana), an American comedian whose roots are in India (Hari Kondabolu at the Grand), a punk/pop singer with an interesting background (MZ Neon at TLA), a New Orleans rock band (The Revivalists...

On Stage: Blues fans, this is your time for great local shows

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Christone “Kingfish” Ingram We’re in the midst of a stretch of live concerts that will have blues music fans in the area in hog heaven (which is defined as “a state of complete happiness”). Over a period of two weeks, the area’s concert schedule features performances by Selwyn Birchwood, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Mike Zito, Albert...